Loading a bike rack: does it look right?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Loading a bike rack: does it look right?

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#1816052 8-Jul-2017 22:18

Two prong racks work well for a traditional shape/size of bike but don't work so well in your situation.The way you have to use the two pronged rack means the bike is positioned off centre and tends to over hang the side of the car.

I've found fitting two bikes of differing sizes can be a problem too.

We have a single prong Ezi Grip rack which uses clamps to hold the bike. The prong in in the centre of the car and you can position the bike so that the bike is centrally located across the rear of the car.

The clamps can be rotated on the prong to best match the angle of the cross bar on the bike and can be adjusted along the prong to allow proper spacing between the bikes.

Have a look at the MC series here to see what I mean. http://www.ezigrip.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/EZI-Modular-V5.pdf

I know this isn't the type of rack you have bought and I don't know if they do a version that will fit without having to have a tow bar. However you may find this style of rack may be better suited to your situation.

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Dratsab

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#1816075 8-Jul-2017 22:49

Bit late to the show...again... As has been mentioned the bikes seems to be sticking out too far, which is dangerous. From the looks of the rack and the shape of the frames, there's not really anything different you could do in terms of mounting them. I'd simply recommend dropping the rear wheels off once they were mounted. I can't really tell from your photo's but there should be quick releases on the wheels so getting them off/on would only take a few seconds. The removed wheels can go in the luggage space.

Another option might have been removing the red clamps and putting some type of insulation, such as aircon pipe insulation, on the arms and using a few bungee cords to keep everything in place. That's what I used to do many years ago (when I was racing) with a similar style rack on a hatchback. Not using the clamps gives you a little more flexibility in mounting positions, but the shape of those frames looks like they negate this. The link put up by hashbrown is probably the best option.

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#1816076 8-Jul-2017 22:59

Yes, they are quick release and will do that but might have to get those bars to "normalise" the frames...

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Ouranos

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#1816113 9-Jul-2017 07:59

I use an adapter bar for my bike, something like:
http://www.rhinorack.co.nz/products/sport-leisure/water/accessories/bike-bar-adapter_rbca021

mudguard

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#1816119 9-Jul-2017 08:38

With the bike nearest the car (I wasn't looking how far it was sticking out yesterday, but it is a long way), could you move it further right? IE put the clamp between the rear wheel and seat tube? It will lift the right hand side higher, but will get the bike more centred.

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#1816129 9-Jul-2017 09:10

there's no one correct way to mount the bikes on the rack. it "looks" fine. but I would check these

- the rack mounting to the car is correct - ie it won't move around when you drive at 100ks.

- the bike are secured to the car - ie it wont move around then you drive at 100ks. they shouldn't move using the factory given clamps/ties.

- just make sure they don't "swing". otherwise it could bump agaisnt your car and dent it. (maybe extra ties needed).

as for the sticking out too far - i don't know what the laws are but there if is no other way and it doesn't break any laws that's how I'd go. in terms of licence plate ... well I'm in the "there's no other way" camp. I've seen people write it on a laminated white paper, whereas the rest don't care.

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Batman

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#1816131 9-Jul-2017 09:14

mudguard:

With the bike nearest the car (I wasn't looking how far it was sticking out yesterday, but it is a long way), could you move it further right? IE put the clamp between the rear wheel and seat tube? It will lift the right hand side higher, but will get the bike more centred.

with regards to the first bike, could you mount the bike on the rack between the seat tube and the wheel (that will move the bike towards being more centered) and still be able to secure it. you can buy extra elastic ties if you don't want to use the clamp, but i'm not sure, i've never used clampy racks. all my racks are straight out and creative tying with elastic ties. easier for oddly shaped bikes.

Ouranos

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#1816136 9-Jul-2017 09:24

Batman:

in terms of licence plate ... well I'm in the "there's no other way" camp. I've seen people write it on a laminated white paper, whereas the rest don't care.

Supplementary plates were introduced in 2011 and cost $19.69 (+$12.00 for a bag, if you want one). https://www.licensys.com/nz_forms.php#supplementary

According to NZTA, "Displaying a non-approved plate or something that could be mistaken for a plate could mean a maximum fine of $5000." https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/licensing-rego/number-plates/

rscole86

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#1816138 9-Jul-2017 09:35

As has already been suggested, as long as it does not exceed the legal width for your vehicle the rack is fine. Otherwise the bike bar is the best solution.

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#1816139 9-Jul-2017 09:35

Ouranos:

Batman:

in terms of licence plate ... well I'm in the "there's no other way" camp. I've seen people write it on a laminated white paper, whereas the rest don't care.

Supplementary plates were introduced in 2011 and cost $19.69 (+$12.00 for a bag, if you want one). https://www.licensys.com/nz_forms.php#supplementary

According to NZTA, "Displaying a non-approved plate or something that could be mistaken for a plate could mean a maximum fine of $5000." https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/licensing-rego/number-plates/

Ok then I'll continue to NOT put illegal things on :)

1eStar

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#1817531 9-Jul-2017 22:58

It looks like you've done your best in terms of getting them mounted securely, the only suggestion I'd make is: try putting them both the same way. i.e. rear wheels side by side, you may need to turn the handlebars slightly. If the handle bars etc don't foul each other, you may find it looks less unwieldy, and also you may be able to move the rack slightly sideways to centre the bikes on the vehicle.

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MikeAqua

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#1817640 10-Jul-2017 10:21

You won't be over width - over width is >2.5m which is bus/truck/campervan territory. You probably have an over hanging load (vehicle + 200mm). So tie marker flags to the widest point one each side. https://www.bunnings.co.nz/gardwell-trailer-flag-300x400mm-orange_p00286903 For night time use a couple of cheap red bike-lights.

Check that the bikes are well secured to the frame. I would also bungy both wheels to their bike frames to prevent them rotating or wobbling. These are excellent secondary ties: -

https://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/E0CAANNBK/title/ezi-grip-mp-bungy-kit-8pc---blue

Beware the roof-top bike mount. They are out of sight and out of mind. I know someone who has totalled her expensive MTB more than once forgetting it was up there and driving into the garage ...

Mike

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#1817684 10-Jul-2017 10:25

MikeAqua:

You won't be over width - over width is >2.5m...

But don't forget it's 1.275m maximum from the vehicle's longitudinal centre too, not just 2.55m total width.

MikeAqua:

Beware the roof-top bike mount. They are out of sight and out of mind. I know someone who has totalled her expensive MTB more than once forgetting it was up there and driving into the garage ...

Perhaps a forward facing reversing sensor mounted to the highest point of the load might solve her problem...

fizzychicken

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#1817689 10-Jul-2017 10:37

I have an old MTB with a similar (possibly even worse) stupid shape for the rack. As my bikes are all larger than normal I now rack mine in a way that they all stick out in the same direction (to the passenger side) so that I only have one side to be concerned about.

frame doesnt even complete on that one.

https://keybase.io/fizzychicken

mudguard

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#1819081 10-Jul-2017 19:33

fizzychicken:
I have an old MTB with a similar (possibly even worse) stupid shape for the rack. As my bikes are all larger than normal I now rack mine in a way that they all stick out in the same direction (to the passenger side) so that I only have one side to be concerned about.

frame doesnt even complete on that one.

I love the old monocoque Enduros. I may have four of them...

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